Display container



Jan.1l,1938. A H,NE WMAN 2,105,199

DISPLAY CON TAINER Filed June 20, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

. Jan. 11, 1938. A. H. NEWMAN DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed June 20, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

A. H. NEWMAN Jan. 11, 1938.

3 Sheets-Sheet June '20,

Patented Jan. 11, 1938* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I msrna r giz 'rma Albert E. Newman, Chicago, m.

Application June 20,

2 Claims.

My invention relates to novel and improved displ y containers having transparent walls so constructed as to permit of their use in forming panels and walls of any form or shape, thus pro- 5 viding means for the creation of containers having distinctiveness, originality, beauty, and sales appeal.

Because of difliculties heretofore considered insurmountable, containers of .this character have been made in but few forms, with imperfect locking means, susceptible to bulging, fracturing, and rupturing under slight tensile action. The vertical walls of containers of this character are constructed of flexible, transparent material, such for example, as regenerated cellulose, generally sold under such trade names as Cellophone, Protectoid, Kodapac, and the well-known Celluloid. Because of the intrinsic nature of this material, it is impractical, both economically and no mechanically, to construct containers, or similar receptacles, by a mere substitution of the trans parent sheet-like material for the prior materials. Cellulose and its derivatives, under normal conditions of temperaturahave little affinity for ad-,

hesive substances, and mechanical bonds formed solely through the medium of such agents are not lockfast, and walls so formed may collapse, fractu're, rupture or rend under slight compression or tensile action. Anchoring the vertical walls by means of staples or like mechanical appliances is vulnerable to the same objections in even a greater degree, as such fastening means may come directly in contact with the merchandise displayed in the container, marking, scratching and abrasing the same.

The edges of the vertical walls of containers so formedpresent the surface of least resistance, and extremely slight pressure applied thereto will cause the walls to bend or bulge, thus diminishing their utility, and aesthetic appeal. To assist in the generation of sales appeal, induce consumer acceptance, and overcome sales resistance by a direct appeal to the eye, is the functional objective of containers of this character.

I have achieved this objective and have invented means, not only for the provision of a strong, durable, rigid container having vertical walls of flexible transparent material, but a container that may be constructed in a variety of forms'and shapes to blend and harmonize with the peculiarities of the merchandise displayed therein, thus enhancing the sales appeal of the product, which can, if desired, be also wrapped in transparent material. I

I have also invented means for reinforcing the edges of the transparent material in a positive manner of inexpensive material, conveniently folded, and adapted to mass production. Owing to the structure of material like regenerated cellulose a rend originating in the edge thereof encounters no resistance, and may be said to advance with the facility of water flowing over a smobth and even surface. By the invention of my improved locking means I have eliminated this highly objectionable feature in a simple and inexpensive manner.

I have also invented means for the production of a transparent display container witha demountable floor adapted to sustain light or heavy loads. I have also invented inexpensive and conveniently operative anchoring means for securing the bottom or floor of the container.

My invention in addition to the foregoing features permits the utilization of sheets of transparent sheet-like material havinga lighter gauge, thus effecting substantial economy in the cost of production, and at the same time providing a container of greater strength and durability than others heretofore produced. In the practice of my invention it is not necessary to cut flaps having openings of various dimensions and material and labor is thus conserved.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination Figure 1 is a perspective view of the metal edging with which the edges of the walls are reinforced, and from which the ledge is formed to sustain the floor of the container.

Flgure2 a perspective view of the blank from which the transparent walls are formed; Figure 3 a perspective view of an anchoring tab employed in one embodiment of my invention; Figure 4 a perspective view of the metallic edging after the initial fold has been executed, but before transparent material has been inserted in the channel.

Figure 5 a perspective view of the edging disclosing the cellulose walls in contact therewith.

Figure 6 a perspective view of the edging and transparent material after the second fold has been performed.

As heretofore distinctly pointed out, and illus- I trated in the drawings, my invention may be employed in the production of containers of vari ous configurations and forms. The embodiment I have chosen to illustrate and describe in detail is abox of conventional rectangular shape with an open top and transparent walls. The reference numeral l0, indicates the side or lateral walls, and the numerals II and l 2 indicate the front and rear walls respectively. The walls are constructed from an integral blank of flexible transparent materialcut to the desired size and shape to form blank l3. The upper and lower edges of the blank l3 are reinforced by metallic edging I4. The edging is formed from a. blank of light sheet metal of sufficient strength and flexibility to be adapted to this purpose. The oblong metallic strip 14 is folded longitudinally upon itself along the plane indicated by dotted lines I in Figure 1, so as to provide a longitudinal channel or groove adapted to the reception of the rectangular blank l3. The channel is designated by the numeral IS. The blank'l3 is disposed in the channel 15, parallel to the axis of the fold. The lateral walls of the edging are then compressed transversely. This anchorage does not provide a lockfast attachment. Joints so formed will permit the cellulose to slide and work loose under slight tensile action. The smooth and even surface of the cellulose presented to the sheet 'metal causes the external friction to be exceedingly slight, and under tensile action, bulging, fracturing, or rupturing of the walls and deformation of the container may result. To obviate these objectionable features, and at the same time provide a ledge adapted to support a horizontal wall IF, the seam I1 is folded inwardly along its longitudinal axis so as to form ledge l8, which provides a lockfast attachment for the transparent walls, and at the same time a ledge adapted to support a horizontal wall,,.of any material. Anchorage tabs l9 may be placed in the channel l5 to fixedly secure the horizontal wall I6 against'vertical displacement. The tongue 20 of the tab l9 may be anchored in the channel l5 by compression or folding so that the body of the tab 19, indicated by the numeral 2| may be arcuately elevated or depressed to remove or secure the horizontal floor against vertical displacement.

From Figure 9 it will be observed that the side walls 24 may be conveniently folded so as to form in association with the circular base 25 a cylinder-like structure, and from Figure it will be observed that the corners of the container may be arcuated as indicated by reference numerals 26 in both Figures 10 and 11.

While I have confined my detailed description to the construction of the edging and lockforming elements constituting the base of the container, it is obvious that the upper edge 9 is formed in the same identical manner as the lower edge. It is equally obvious that changes and modifications can be made in the exact details shown, and therefore, I do not wish to be limited in any particular, rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A container adapted for the display of goods contained therein and the dispensing of the same therefrom comprising a generally prismatic structure formed with a single parallel edge sheet of transparent flexible material forming its vertical walls, rigid metallic edge members secured to the upper and lower edges of said structure, a removable floor member positioned upon said lower edge member and horizontal anchoring tabs fixedly secured in said lower edge member for supporting said floor.

2. A container of the class described comprising an open-ended box-like structure having ver- 

